The X-men have graduated from the academy. Professor Charles must leave them for a short time and his final gift to them is Cerebro! A machine to find other mutants. Meanwhile Magneto has a new plan to defeat the X-men by recruiting the Blob!

RikerDonegalJuly 14, 2017Despite all the repetition with earlier stories, this is pretty good.

Once again, Magneto is the villain. And the other guest character is also a returning villain: the Blob. So, on that front, the series is somewhat starved for new ideas.

However, several good scenes are character-driven. Scott is made leader of the X-Men, and shoulders the responsibility with considerable isolation and loneliness. The Blob’s final scene, too, is good as he opts to stay away from either side in the ongoing battle of mutant teams.

There are weaknesses, however. The writing of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch is consistent but dreadfully repetitive. All he ever seems to do is rush to his sister’s defense, and all she ever seems to do is criticise Magneto. Over and over and over. Every issue.

Written: Stan Lee (1 of 19).

8/10

bastosFebruary 26, 2014I hated this villain. I mean, REALLY hated him. A fat guy with a penchant for not moving. Ugh. But he's another villain who at least has some depth to him.

The issue keeps exploring the control of Magneto over his Brotherhood of Mutants, and frankly, they are getting boring. Thank God Scarlet Witch has done SOMEthing in the future - because right now, she is LAME. Magneto brings Blob back to the folds of the book, by bringing back his memories, and he reacts by getting pretty ticked off at everyone.

The leader is Scott, of course, and while he is reluctant - at least the characters see his leadership - and his inability to be anything but whiny until the first X-Men movie.

Issue Synopsis

The story begins with the X-Men gathered together outside of their Westchester school, posing for their graduation photograph. After the photograph, Professor X reminds them that they are more than Homo Sapiens, they are Homo Superior, that they should use their powers for the good of humanity, and that they must continue to keep their X-Men identities secret. He then announces that he is going to leave them for a while, but says that before he goes he will appoint one of them to act as group leader.

The scene changes to a ramshackle mansion. Mastermind, one of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is trying to convince the Scarlet Witch that, if the two of them joined forces, there is nothing that they could not achieve; they would be even more powerful than Magneto. When Wanda turns him down, he confesses his love for her. As she tries to rebuff his unwanted advances, Magneto appears and, furious, tells Mastermind that he could snuff out his life as easily as snuffing out a candle. Quicksilver and the Toad enter, and Magneto tells the assembled "Brotherhood" that he has devised a new plan to destroy the X-Men.

Back at the school, Xavier shows Scott a complex machine that he has built. It is called Cerebro and his designed to locate new mutants by detecting their brain waves. He then tells Scott that he has selected him to be the new group leader.

The following morning, Xavier's decision to make Scott the group leader is revealed to the other X-Men. They assure Scott of their full support before going out to dinner. They ask Scott to join them, but he refuses, feeling that as group leader he should remain at his post.

Meanwhile, on the edge of town, Magneto is visiting a carnival. He watches as one of the performers, the Blob, demonstrates his abilities. Once the Blob plants his feet on the ground, nothing can shift him, not even an elephant or a ball fired from a cannon. Magneto reaches the conclusion that the Blob must be a mutant and decides to recruit him. Probing the Blob's mind, he discovers a block that he is unable to penetrate. The carnival owner challenges Magneto and soon finds himself imprisoned in a metal cage. Incensed by the treatment of their boss, the rest of the carnival workers attack but Magneto's mutants beat them off. Magneto then offers the Blob the chance to join his band, but the Blob refuses. Not wanting to take 'no' for an answer, Magneto gets into a fight with the Blob. During the fight, the Blob receives a blow to his head which jars loose part of the mental block that Professor X had previously put there. The Blob now remembers his past encounter with the X-Men and agrees to join Magneto.

At the same moment an alarm sounds back at the X-Men's HQ as Cerebro detects that the Blob's memory has returned. Scott immediately begins contacting his fellow X-Men. Bobby and Hank are relaxing at a jazz club. They are picked up by Warren and Jean, and the team head back to HQ where they quickly prepare themselves for action by changing into their costumes.

The Evil Mutants, now including the Blob, have gathered at a factory own by Magneto. Magneto sends a message to the X-Men saying that he is going to put the entire city under his control unless the X-Men can stop him. He tells them the address at which he can be found.

The X-Men approach the factory in their helicopter and see the lone Blob waiting for them. Suspecting a trap, they hold back. Impatient, Magneto uses his power to cause the helicopter to fall apart in mid-air. Iceman saves his teammates by creating an ice slide, while Angel attacks the Blob. When Angel seems to be getting the worst of the fight, the other X-Men rush to his aid. Marvel Girl attempts to use her telekinetic power to lift the Blob from the ground, but collapses under the strain. Magneto chooses that moment to release his magnetically controlled torpedoes. Iceman manages to put some of the torpedoes out of action, but is nearly caught by some that he missed. Luckily Cyclops comes to Iceman's rescue. Meanwhile, Beast puts the Blob out of action by the simple means of throwing mud into his eyes. Magneto protects himself using a ring of the remaining torpedoes, but Angel is easily able to dodge through them. Quicksilver speeds to help Magneto, but ends up caught by Marvel Girl, who keeps him telekinetically spinning in the air. The Scarlet Witch then uses her hex power to distract the X-Men, allowing her brother to free himself. While this is happening, Iceman has imprisoned the Blob in a solid block of ice.

The two sides now face each other, the X-Men on one side, the Evil Mutants on the other. Only the Blob is out of action. There is a loud noise as the block of ice shatters and the Blob frees himself. While the X-Men are distracted by the Blob, Magneto again releases his torpedoes. The X-Men take shelter behind the Blob, who takes the full force of the blast.

Sickened by what she has seen, the Scarlet Witch tells Magneto that in spite of the debt she owes him, she can't be part of this any longer, but her brother holds her back, telling her they will discuss it later. Magneto summons his Magna-Car and the Evil Mutants, including the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, climb in and make their escape.

The X-Men offer the disgruntled Blob the chance to join them. The Blob turns them down and, saying that he will never trust anyone again, he walks away, leaving the X-Men contemplating the wreckage of their helicopter and wondering how they are going to get home.

I guess it's time I accept that most of what I learned from X-Men, the Animated Series back in my teen ages is not exactly the same on MU, specially about Magneto, his powers surprise me om every issue!!

This was fantastic. Magneto's a real scumbag and I liked how the issue ended with the Blob wanting to stay with the carnival as a freak. After all these battles, isn't it time for Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch to ditch this group? I mean, I don't know what else they think they need to do in order to pay off the debt they owe Magneto.

So much in this issue made no sense... But I think impact loosening the Blob's mental block might be the worst offender. Not only it's ridiculous, but the guy spent every day being shot at for a living!

Tells you how annoying Toad or Bobby must be... Blob would rather get shot every day than belong to either group!

Which is what makes this tale for me, that Blob doesn't care to be drawn into this battle.

Early Magneto was both a much bigger pure evil***(and less interesting for it) and sort of stupider. He wastes all his time fighting other mutants rather than homo sapiens!

And like Thor's hammer he seems to have a number of powers he shouldn't, like some kind of Xavier-like mental powers. Granted, our brains/thoughts are electro-chemical, but if the master of magnetism has learned to use his magnetism in this subtle of a way he should not be failing as much as he does against a group of teenagers.

Magneto and The Brotherhood are back (sigh again!) The Blob returns and for the first time joins the evil muties. The story was not all that grand but I did like the action! Again the ending was weak as usual. The big plus here is CEREBRO! X-History was made here!

Overall I enjoyed this issue. I'm trying to read each issue with the general mindset of when they were issued, so things like the basic characterization and art is okay as these will evolve as the years go on. But bad art is still bad art, and bad writing is bad writing, so I can still call each out when I see it.

Looking forward to when the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver finally leave the Evil Mutants group...

Well alright...the first appearance of Cerebro...nice.
Magneto was raw even back then...”Who am I?” “I am...POWER!!” That boy is hardcore.
Magna-car..?!? More 60's crap.
This comic was just a big fight...not good.

I actually had shivers when he showed up Cerebro to Cyclops... I was surprised that it's purpose is the exact same as the mordern one I tought it would have all sorts of dumb powers. Loved this one we're starting to go somewhere!

Strangely seems to improve on repeated reading. Magneto is certainly ruthless, showing a complete disregard for the lives of even the members of his own team in order to acheive his ambitions. It's interesting to watch the gradual alienation of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch as these issues progress.

1. Very interesting splash page..creative composition
2. Woot for Cyberno...erm...Cerebro!
3. I'm loving the X-men books because of all the moral ambiguity in the characters. It already feels like its more mature than the other titles.

Enjoyed the story, and the second appearance of the Blob. I can't stand how ridiculous Magneto is. The story of the Blob is tragic, I feel bad for the villain by the end of the ish. Solid 3 stars. If have given it 3.5 if possible.

I can not believe that there actually is a carny battle cry, and that it is "Hey Rube!" Look it up on wikipedia. Maybe this is why Stan is so fascinated with the circus. I guess it was a more exciting place in times past.

"I can never be moved or hurt!" Congratulations, you can never be defeated, but you also have no useful offensive power to actually win either. Your only value is you basically can't be stopped (short of constant attack, which results in you just grabbing them apparently) and so getting into some place (or defending a doorway) is your forte. But in this issue the fight is out in the open with the X-MEN attacking ... hey X-men, just go around him ...

That’s my line – “Hail to the new leader! King of the Barefoot Beats!” (Enthusiast follower)

That’s my line too – “Stay where you are, diapers… I’ll be right with you!” (Angel to Blob)

Some progress on X-Men covers! The Emerald Witch has become the Magenta Witch.!

On the big panel page 2, Jean looks like she’s very grateful to her professor for her grades!

Cerebro looks like a modern art sculpture!

Wow! I had to look up the ‘Hey Rube!’ reference too! Very interesting, I say! Stan may be a total ignorant in science, but he sure knows about carnivals!

Magneto’s toad pet finally made himself useful in a battle!

The whole scene in the coffee shop, where Hank takes off his shoes, was pure delight! The foot paint… priceless!

I’ve got to side with the Blob. All he ever wanted is to be left alone and everyone tried to use him. This is actually quite sad!

Scott’s promotion, Cerebro, the coffee shop, the carnival, Blob joining and leaving the Brotherhood… I can’t believe they could fit all this in just one issue. Great story and the art is improving considerably. 4 stars!

... annnnnnnnnnnd: back down into the doldrums once more, as Stan Lee -- for lack of anything better (or even more interesting) to do -- takes the lazy way out, and simply lobs the increasingly tiresome Magneto at us yet *again*, for the fifth time in seven issues(!!!).

I can't tell whether this was a rush job on Jack Kirby's part -- Marvel has him doing everything but driving the company delivery truck, at this point -- or whether even *his* fabled sense of professionalism flagged at having to draw that goofy helmet for another entire issue; but, either way, this shows all the telltale signs of being one of the King's less rigorous efforts. At times, this actually lends some unintentional comedy to the storytelling proceedings: check out that splash page, where Magneto's head looks as if it'd been drawn by a wayward Robert Crumb, instead! ;)

About the only genuinely enjoyable scene in this entire issue, really, was Hank and Bobby's whacked-out visit to the Greenwich Village coffee shop. The scene where the customers all immediately decide to form a new cult centered around Hank's gargantuan feet, *a la* Monty Python's "The Life of Brian," was both genuinely clever *and* amusing.

Three stars, barely... and a sinking feeling that we're in for another long, lean stretch o' issues, once again. (*sigh*)

I actually really liked this one. The Blob was characterized well and the mutant vs. mutant fight was entertaining.

Issue Letters Page

Dear Stan and Jack,

I have never before written a fan letter to any magazine, comic or otherwise, but I felt impelled
to do so now in the interest of one of your best characters. Please do not write out Professor Xavier
from your X-Men! He is by far the best character in the series. His performances against the Vanisher
and the Blob were outstanding, and I should think would have convinced anyone that he definitely
belongs among the X-Men permanently. My husband is no comic magazine reader but he has become a
regular reader of the X-Men. He instructs me to warn you that if Professor Xavier is no longer featured,
he will never buy the book again. I have been reading comic magazines perhaps as long as they have
been in existence as we know them, and yours are really unusual. Their unique appeal, of course, is
mainly the marvelous characterizations. The actions and reactions of your heroes are apt, amusing, and
convincing. If the opinion of a comparatively elderly reader (I am 33 years old and have never felt
apologetic about my interest in comic magazines) is of any value, your Marvel Group of comics is the
best literature in its field. With thanks for many entertaining hours –

Mrs. Laura Frankland, White Head
Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Canada

YIPE! No sooner do we send poor Professor X on his merry way than we receive the above letter! Well,
take heart, Mr. and Mrs. Frankland – we haven't seen the last of ol' high-forehead! He'll keep popping
up again, as most of our characters seem to do, when you least expect him!

Dear Stan and Jack,

Give each X-Man a separate costume. Often the mutants who the X-Men are fighting are more
colorful than the X-Men themselves! Another fan told me this and I think he's right. Separate costumes
would make the X-Men much more exciting than they already are. Well, keep up the good work. I think
that you've really got something here with the X-Men. It's the best mag that you've got at Marvel and
the only thing that may be able to beat it is your new mag Daredevil.

Jim Rossow, 906 Beale St.
South Bend, Ind.

It's okay with us, Jimmy – as long as we keep it in the family! (The Marvel Family, natch!) As for
separate costumes, how do you feel about it out there in Marvel land?

Dear Stan and Jack,

"The Angel is Trapped" was a great story and I was glad to see Cyclops getting in the act more
than usual. He's the best of the X-Men mainly because he's more sensible than the others and doesn't
seem like a teenager. I don’t care too much for most of your teenage heroes, mainly the Torch.

Jerry Phillips, 16714-F So. Yukon Ave.
Torrance, Cal.

Is it because you don't like teen-agers, Jerry? Or because you don't like the way WE portray teen-agers?
Anyway, Cyclops thanks you, and the Torch says "Gowan back to Yancy Street!"

Dear Stan and Jack,

Here in Bangkok, Thailand, we get X-Men, Avengers, FF, Spider-Man and other members of the
Marvel cast. I can hardly wait to see what happens in the X-Men stories. Keep up the good work, for we
here in Thailand appreciate your fine stories!

Frederic Puhan, U.S. Embassy,
165 Rajadamri Rd., Bangkok, Thailand

Much obliged, Fred! And, as for your impatience to see what happens in our yarns, we've heard from
other readers that even after you READ them it's usually tough to figure out what in blazes was going
on!

Dear Stan and Jack,

The X-Men are great, wonderful and stupendous. They are different from any other comic
group. Every time I finish one I feel as though my brain has been drained of all its power! I just sit there
in a trance for a while. #5 was the best yet what with Professor X and the final exam. I feel the X-Men
will rise to new heights in the Marvel Age of Comics. Everyone is talking about Beatle-mania – it should
be Marvelmania!!

Larry Walters, 3589 N.W. 53rd
Oklahoma City, Okla.

Heck – we always thought it WAS!

Dear Stan and Jack,

The X-Men is my favorite. The cover of the May issue was very striking. The thing that appeals
to me most about the X-Men is when they're in costume, training in the Danger Room. I really like that
bit. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (with the exception of Mastermind) consists of pretty corny
characters (and even cornier dialogue) but the way they operate is alright. Anyway, I wish they'd finally
get captured once, even if they escape later. By the way, if the Scarlet Witch is scarlet, how come she's
always green on the cover? Taking away Iceman's boots, as far as I'm concerned, was a mistake. He
looks ridiculous without them. And Hank (Beast) McCoy looks just as ridiculous with those glasses and
his hair the way it is. The rest of the X-Men are okay. I'm dying to see Scott (Cyclops) Summers show
some affection for Marvel Girl. It kills me the way you guys put off these romances, so how about it?
Have Scott take her on a date or something. I sincerely hope that X-Men will continue to be published
for a long time. They're probably your most original group.

Rocky Midyett, 1327 West Devers St.
West Covina, Cal.

Sometimes we change a costume's color on the cover just to balance the design a bit, Rocky! As for the
X-Men dating, have a heart, pal! Give 'em some PRIVACY!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT SECTION:

Before we go any further, we want to know one thing – Have you read our big new Annuals yet? If
not, don’t waste another minute – they won't remain on sale much longer! As if you didn't know, they
are: FANTASTIC FOUR #2 – SPIDER-MAN #1 – and MARVEL TALES #1 – (We won't discuss our MILLIE THE
MODEL ANNUAL in this section – sorry!)

Okay, now down to business! All those in favor of Scotty being Professor X's deputy leader of the X-
Men say "Aye." All those opposed write and tell us about it! However, we'll take a guess right now –
most of you will say "Aye"! We'll print the result later on.

Next question – are you getting fed up with seeing so much of Magneto's merry mutants – or do you
want lots more? There's a lot of strong feeling on both sides so we're anxious to take a count!

NEXT ish of X-MEN (which we haven't finished yet at the time of this writing) will contain a few
surprises – and we'll try to drag in an unexpected guest star or two! So be sure to be with us – you
KNOW how lonely we get!

Issue Attachements

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